Commercial Pilot salary in Columbia, SC
Commercial Pilots in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $92,300 a year, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,390 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $123,220. Pay here is 13% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $105,740. There are 0.16 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $94,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,720 |
| 25th percentile | $71,790 |
| Median | $92,300 |
| 75th percentile | $126,390 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,390 |
| Average (mean) | $94,930 |
Half of commercial pilots earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,691.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,845.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,550 |
| Weekly | $1,775 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Pilot salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $144,750 | 430 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $122,230 | 40 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $118,980 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
See Commercial Pilot pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,000 | $13.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for commercial pilots in the Columbia, SC metro area is $92,300 a year. Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $126,390 a year. The top 25% earn $126,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,720 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $71,790 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Columbia, SC?
About 60 commercial pilots are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.